In this epoch of instability, crisis, war and ever-growing
inequality, Marxism is becoming an increasingly attractive proposition
to millions of workers and young people around the world. The old mole
of revolution, to use Karl Marx’s own phrase, is burrowing deep into the
foundations of society.

And yet we are repeatedly told that Marxism is either irrelevant, or
out-dated, or even dead. Yet, if that were true, why are so many books
and articles churned out year-on-year attacking Marxism? Clearly the
powers that be are rattled or indeed frightened by these “dead” ideas.

So what is this set of ideas that frightens them so much? Marxism –
or scientific socialism – is the name given to the body of ideas first
worked out by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels more than 150 years ago. In
their totality, these ideas provide a fully worked-out theoretical
basis for the struggle of the working class to attain a higher form of
human society – socialism.

This book is aimed specifically at newcomers to Marxism. A bestseller
now in its second edition, it comprises introductory pieces on the
three component parts of Marxist theory, corresponding broadly to
philosophy, social history and economics: dialectical materialism,
historical materialism and Marxist economics. Complementing these
introductions are key extracts from some of the great works of Marxism
written by its most outstanding figures – Marx, Engels, Lenin and
Trotsky.